Most Gracious Heavenly Father, from the very beginning of time, you have shown us your glory. You are the God who said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. It was you oh God, who “called the dry land earth, and the (gathering of the waters) seas;” and you saw that it was good.
We stand here today on the land You gathered together to form this great nation. A land flowing with milk and honey; a land of plenty, a land of great beauty. To the West, you have blessed us with some of the largest and most majestic trees in the entire world. Few places on earth can bring such pause as the awe-inspiring canyons that we have named “grand”. In the Midwest, you show us your provision as millions of acres of land produce the food of a nation. How thankful we are that many of us here have never had to go to bed hungry or wonder when our next meal might be. From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee, we get to see the spender of your creation.
Lord hear our prayer as we lift up those who serve in our armed forces. Lord, we are thankful that there are men and women among us who are courageous enough to stand watch over this great nation. They fight for freedom and they deserve our prayers.
When times of trouble come, we ask that you keep our soldiers safe and bring them your peace. We pray for them as many recite the 56th psalm saying, 3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. Psalms 56:3-4
We also pray for the family members of our servicemen and women who remain behind. We pray for the marriages of these soldiers and their spouses enduring months of separation, and we pray for their sons and daughters. Let each one experience the return of those standing watch over our freedoms with a joyful embrace.
Lord hear our prayer as we lift up our President to you this day. We are thankful that he has been rooted in the Christian faith and has heard your Truth from a young age. Lord, we accept this man you have anointed to lead us. Not that we all agree with His politics, but that we agree that “it is still you” who “changes the times and the epochs; who removes kings and establishes kings; and we acknowledge that it is you who gives wisdom to the wise.”
Lord, we pray over the spiritual forces and powers that are fighting over this man and his family. We pray that He would act out the Light that has been revealed in his heart as he does his best to lead this great country through these hard days. We pray that you give him great wisdom as he wades through the challenges of this world. Keep his heart soft and pliable so he will not rush to bloodshed. Empower him to maintain peace with the nations as we grow closer to conflict.
Father, we know that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and “knowledge of the Holy One” is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 We pray that our President can be a servant of wisdom as the Fear of the Lord grows in him more and more each day.
Lord hear our prayer as we lift up our Governor and State Leaders to you this day. We offer the same petitions we gave for our President to now be bestowed on our State Leadership as well. Minnesota is far from united, but at the heart of those who lead us, we pray that you would go before and manifest your Light in them. Anoint them with your Spirit in such a way that they will feel the love of you, our Holy God bringing them comfort and peace.
Lord hear our prayer as we lift up the many people of this great nation struggling with Covid. So many are hurting and feel like there is no hope. Let them find the hope they seek in You.
Father God, we all have felt the effects of this virus. And no matter what side of the isle we sit on, we lift up all who have been touched in any way by this horrible ordeal over the past year. For some, this virus may seem more like a political invention, but to others, it will be a reminder for years as the event that took the life of a loved one, or destroyed the life’s work of a business owner. Therefore, in Christ’s love, we ask you God to check each of our hearts. You call us to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. There are many who mourn over the fallout of covid. Help us not to belittle their pains and losses, rather help us be Christ to a broken world.
Bread of Life, we pray that you would be quick to conclude this season in our Nation and in our State. We thank you for the news that our Governor is thinking about lifting more restrictions. Continue to give Him wisdom in this “once in a lifetime” struggle between liberty and safety that he has been forced to balance. And continue to give us patience and grace to wait for the end of this bitter chapter in our lives.
Lord hear our prayer as we lift up our Entire Nation to you this day. For many, these days seem dark. It feels like we are facing your judgment as a “once Christian” nation embodies a new identity that now seems to edify all religions and creeds. We need you to remind our nation that you alone are God.
Creator of the World and everything in it, it is You who have given us your Law and Commandments. And we understand that our nation continues to rebel against it. Therefore, as we pray for our nation, we proclaim the first of Your commandments today in the hope that you would soften the hearts of our people. May the Light of your Word bring unity to our nation once again.
Your Word says, 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Lord you are a jealous God, and you will never stand for the wickedness that has taken root in our nation. Yet even in the midst of judgment and wrath (as you discipline the nations that turn against you), we find hope in the Words you gave to Solomon when you said,
13 If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
That is the promise we cling to here today. Even though we are walking in a valley filled with utter darkness, we know that You will lead your faithful to still waters. It is the mystery that we can somehow be in both places at the same time. Lord we are living in the most godless times we have ever seen in our lifetime. But you still provide green pastures for our fellowships and families. And for that we praise you.
Great Father, on bended knees we ask that you would transform the very heart of this nation to once again seek after the Light of Life. We pray that you would reveal your holiness in such a powerful way that it would bring a peace and unity that this country has not seen for years.
However, if our country continues down this path to further darkness, Lord we understand that judgement must come. No matter what you have in store for our homes and our lands, we surrender them to your holy and perfect plan. Knowing that, we still pray “thy will be done”, and we cherish every moment of peace and prosperity you have given us.
Therefore, we end this prayer for our nation with hope. For even though we seem surrounded by darkness, Jesus reminds us that these things must take place before His return. He proclaims, “28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” … “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:28-30
What shall we do? Should we pray for more prosperous days, or shall we, with all our hearts cry, come Lord Jesus? Therefore, today we lift up our nation in prayer, yet we lift up the Will of God even more. And if the time for Jesus’ return is at hand, Lord we rejoice in the coming of your Son.
We love you Lord, and we ask these things in all humility.
24 Now to You who are able to keep us from stumbling, and to make us stand in the presence of Your glory blameless with great joy, 25 to You, the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. We ask these things in your holy precious name. Jude 1:24-25
Lord, hear our Prayer.